Procedures in cases of academic dishonesty will normally begin with the individual instructor who has reason to believe an incident of academic dishonesty has occurred. The instructor must first review the information and determine whether there is sufficient reason to proceed with the charge of academic dishonesty. If the instructor does in fact determine to proceed, he or she must first check with the Academic Dean and the Registrar to ascertain whether there is a record of prior incidents of academic dishonesty. If the records do not reveal any previous incidents, the instructor must then communicate the charge to the student using the appropriate college form (with a copy to his or her associate dean).

If the student admits his/her guilt and accepts and completes the penalty prescribed by the instructor, the matter is resolved, and a copy of the form is filed with the Registrar.

Penalties imposed by the instructor are limited to those actions whose ramifications fall within the confines of the class, i.e., failure of the assignment, requirement of an alternate assignment, or failure of the course. Dismissal or suspension from the course or from the college are actions outside of the instructor’s purview.

If the incident is serious enough to warrant failure of the course, a copy of the form detailing the charges, the admission of guilt, and the penalty must be sent to and filed in the office of the Registrar. If there is a record of prior proven charges of academic dishonesty, OR if the student maintains his/her innocence, the instructor will refer the case to the Registrar who shall process the matter as an alleged violation of the Student Code of Conduct.